A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF HYPERBARIC ROPIVACAINE WITH DEXMEDETOMIDINE VERSUS HYPERBARIC ROPIVACAINE FOR ELECTIVE SURGERY UNDER SPINAL ANAESTHESIA: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED STUDY

Abstract

Background: Spinal anaesthesia is widely used for its safety, ease, and efficacy in providing rapid, reliable anaesthesia and effective muscle relaxation, particularly in lower abdominal surgeries. Ropivacaine, a long-acting amino amide, is gaining favor due to its lower toxicity risk and shorter action duration compared to other drugs. Dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenergic agonist, enhances analgesia when combined with local anesthetics. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine versus hyperbaric ropivacaine alone in patients undergoing eleF7ctive surgery under spinal anaesthesia. Material & Methods: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group A received hyperbaric ropivacaine 0.75% combined with dexmedetomidine in normal saline, while Group B received hyperbaric ropivacaine 0.75% alone with normal saline. Key parameters such as the onset, peak, and duration of sensory and motor blocks, hemodynamic stability, pain scores, and side effects were assessed. Results: Both groups had comparable demographics, ASA grades, and physical characteristics. Group A showed a significantly faster onset of sensory (5.5±0.6 min) and motor (7.0±0.7 min) blockades compared to Group B (9.2±0.7 min and 11.9±1.0 min, respectively). The duration of sensory (427.5±10.8 min) and motor (197.3±9.9 min) blocks was significantly longer in Group A than in Group B (226.5±13.1 min and 126.0±9.8 min, respectively). Group A also had prolonged two-segment regression time (127.8±9.5 min vs. 86.5±8.0 min). Transient reductions in blood pressure and heart rate were observed in Group A shortly after administration, but no significant differences were noted at later intervals. XV Group A reported lower pain scores (VAS) at the 6th hour and required fewer doses of rescue analgesia.